Volunteer opportunities for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California are now posted online at the official race website, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.  Anyone wishing to volunteer for an opportunity to participate in the sixth-annual cycling race can apply online for positions, including volunteer course marshals, security, and media operations, among others.

Santa Clarita is the start of Stage 8 of the race and activities for the Tour of California will take place at and around the Westfield Valencia Town Center on May 22. Once potential volunteers sign up on the Amgen website, they will be contacted by Santa Clarita’s volunteer coordinator, Susana Coronel.

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Considered cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, and one of the world’s most respected cycling races in the world, the 2011 Amgen Tour of California will be staged over a challenging route showcasing some of the state’s most scenic and historical areas from May 15 – 22.  The race will travel through more than 800 miles of beautiful California terrain, beginning with the first-ever visit to Lake Tahoe, a well known cycling destination and home of “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride,” with the overall finish taking place in title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community of Thousand Oaks.

“Just as we couldn’t have a race without the participation of top professional cycling teams from around the world, we simply could not operate this event without the support of the thousands of volunteers who help make this world-class race a reality,” said Andrew Messick.  “Being involved in the race as a volunteer allows community members to experience this amazing competition first-hand, which is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.”

More than 4,500 volunteers in communities throughout the state participated in last year’s race, making it seamless and successful from start to finish, and solidifying it as the largest sporting event in the state of California.  In each of the start and finish cities, as many as 450 local volunteers were recruited to help staff the race.

The majority of volunteers are needed to serve as volunteer course marshals, providing support for the 75 professional course marshals that travel with the tour and support the local law enforcement authorities in each city.  Course marshal volunteers have an opportunity to be on the race route, close to the cyclists, with responsibility for monitoring pedestrian traffic, barricades and road closures.
Volunteer positions for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

Course Marshals – Course Marshals will be assigned a designated area along the race course to assist with the coordination and safety of the field of play for all race venues.  Course Marshals will assist with keeping the course clear of pedestrians, spectators, cars, etc., and will keep spectators informed as the race in is progress.  Course Marshal positions are for local stages only; traveling Course Marshals are not being recruited at this time

Media – Media volunteers in Start Cities will assist with the distribution of media credentials at media check-in.  Volunteers in Finish cities will assist tour media operations staff in the media office, including credential distribution, serving as “runners,” and assisting with general Q&A and office set-up

Security – Security volunteers will assist Tour Security Staff with access-control, including on-course, hospitality, awards, green room and press conference (special Security t-shirt will be provided)

Volunteer Check-in – Check-in Volunteers will assist LOC Volunteer Coordinator with set-up, check-in/registration and deployment

Volunteers must be over the age of 18 or accompanied by an adult.  The online sign-up form offers volunteers the opportunity to rank their top-three job preferences, and every attempt is made to match volunteers to their area of interest.  Shortly after filling out the online form, volunteers will be contacted by the local organizing committee for further information. For questions about volunteering in Santa Clarita, call Coronel at 250-3726.